Wanted Saudi national in Cape Breton turns himself in

Cape Breton Regional Police say the man was involved in a hit and run that injured a senior

A man from Saudi Arabia who was wanted by police in Cape Breton after a hit and run earlier this year has turned himself in.

The Cape Breton Regional Police Service issued an arrest warrant for Yazeed Mohamed Alyahya from Saudi Arabia on Thursday morning and the young man walked into the police station in Sydney in the afternoon.

Police have been trying to track down Alyahya since a hit and run in January when a 75-year-old woman was struck by a car while crossing Prince Street in Sydney.

Police said the woman was hurt but her injuries were not life-threatening. The woman wasn't in a crosswalk when she was hit.

The 2007 Chrysler 300 that allegedly struck her sped away, leaving the scene of the accident.

Eyewitnesses noted the plates and the car was traced to Alyahya, but the 22-year-old had eluded police.

Desiree Vassallo, a spokeswoman for the Cape Breton Regional Police Service, said although Alyahya was a student, finding him at Cape Breton University or through the Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau failed.

When he was finally tracked down — five months after the hit and run — police said Alyahya gave them misleading information.

"One of our officers did approach an individual who matched the description and explained to that person that police were looking to speak to him about a motor vehicle collision," said Vassallo.

"At that time, that individual provided a different name and address as well as a legitimate phone number which police actually tested right at that time. So when one of our officers followed up on it the next day, that phone number had since been disconnected."

Vassallo said Alyahya is facing charges of driving without insurance, failing to stop at an accident, and failing to assist an injured person. He's also facing a public mischief charge.

Vassallo said providing false information to police escalated the situation and it was on that evidence the arrest warrant was issued.

Police will take a statement from Alyahya before deciding on how to proceed with charges.